What would make a local developer deliver to Passivhaus standard?

Giles Lamb is the son of an architect and he grew up in a characterful Victorian coach house, which was always subject to changes. Although he initially worked in technology for investment banks, his passion for building drew him into commercial development around ten years ago, where he initially worked alongside his father. Zara Bloomfield was drawn to architecture because of the blend of creativity, science and problem-solving. After several years in practice, she set up Studio Bloom and learned the realities of running a business alongside design work. The two met when Giles came across one of Zara’s schemes while hunting for a plot; although the timing wasn’t right, he was impressed enough to reach out, and they have collaborated closely ever since. Their relationship is deliberately fluid, built on mutual trust and constant communication rather than rigid contractual arrangements.

Giles Lamb and Zara Bloomfield share their story of how two previous projects, The Gardener’s House and The Woodland House, served as essential stepping stones toward their first certified Passivhaus development: three new-build homes known as Chequers Hill.